Can You Plant Marigolds With Beans?

Marigolds and beans are two common plants found in many gardens. But is it a good idea to plant them together? There are some things to consider before putting marigolds and beans in the same garden bed.

A Little Bit About Marigolds and Beans

Marigolds are brightly colored flowers that can add cheer to any garden. They come in shades of yellow, orange, red, and even white. Marigolds are easy to grow from seed and bloom all summer long. Some types include French marigolds, African marigolds, and signet marigolds.

Beans are a vegetable that can be planted as bush beans or pole beans. Bush beans form low bushes while pole beans grow upwards on trellises or poles. Common bean varieties include green beans, wax beans, and shelling beans like black beans or kidney beans. Both beans and marigolds are sun-loving plants.

How Companion Planting Can Benefit You:

Benefit	Description
Boost pollination	Plant flowering plants, such as wildflowers, fruit trees, and even dandelions, to attract pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Repel pests	Plant companion plants, such as sage, lavender, and rosemary, to repel pests, such as snails and slugs. Nasturtiums can attract aphids away from the surrounding plants in the garden.
Fix nitrogen	Plant legumes, such as beans and peas, to promote beneficial bacteria that pull nitrogen out of the air and deposit it into the soil as nitrates.
Protect the soil	Plant companion plants, such as comfrey, as mulch to help protect the soil from drying out in the sun and wind. Ground cover plants, such as sweet potatoes, strawberries, and nasturtium, can help suppress weeds, pests, and diseases while improving soil life and biodiversity.
Produce more food	Many companion plants can be layered based on size to maximize growing space and food production. This practice is often called food forests. For example, sweet potatoes and berry bushes can be grown just outside of an apple tree’s canopy.

Can You Plant Marigolds With Beans?

There is some debate over whether marigolds and beans make good companion plants. Companion planting is the practice of strategically planting different crops together for mutual benefit. Some gardeners claim marigolds deter certain pests that can damage bean plants, like bean beetles. They say marigolds also attract beneficial pollinators.

However, others argue that certain types of marigolds, especially Mexican/French marigolds, release chemicals from their roots that can inhibit the growth of bean plants. There seems to be more concern with planting them right next to each other, versus scattering them throughout the same garden area.

Tips for Planting Marigolds and Beans

If you want to try planting marigolds and beans together, here are some tips:

• Use signet or tagetes marigolds which seem to be the most bean-friendly varieties. Avoid Mexican/French marigolds.
• Allow plenty of space between beans and marigolds, at least 12-18 inches apart. Mixed planting is better than planting in rows side-by-side.
• Plant other companion plants like borage, nasturtiums, and fennel near the beans too. These can help repel pests.
• Use marigolds as a border or edge planting around beans. Having them in close proximity but not directly competing seems to work well.
• Monitor for signs of slowed bean growth and adjust plantings if needed. Not all plants interact the same in each unique garden.

The Benefits of Marigolds in the Garden

Even if you don’t plant marigolds directly with your beans, they can still be a valuable addition to the overall garden for the following reasons:

• Deter certain pest insects like whiteflies, nematodes, aphids, squash bugs, and tomato hornworms.
• Repel deer with their strong scent.
• Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies that eat damaging pests.
• Add color and beauty to the garden.
• Require little watering or care once established.

Companion Plants for Beans

If you don’t want to pair beans and marigolds directly, there are some other great companion plants to grow with beans including:

• Borage – Repels tomato hornworms.
• Dill – Deters spider mites.
• Nasturtiums – Traps aphids, and deters squash bugs.
• Radishes – Their roots deter cucumber beetles.
• Petunias – Repel aphids, tomato worms, and asparagus beetles.

Final Thoughts:

Ultimately, the decision to plant marigolds with beans is a personal one. While there are some potential benefits and concerns to consider, each garden and planting scenario is unique.

It’s always best to experiment and see what works best for your specific plants and growing conditions. And if you do decide to give it a try, make sure to share your results with other